Driving along the M5 towards Bristol, we turned off at Junction 13 to do this walk. (Directions, etc below) It was only about 3 miles - and could be less.
We parked at Woodchester - free National Trust car park there.
Woodchester is famous for its undisturbed grassland meadows (as well as its woods)
From the car park, we ignored the signs to Woodchester, turning left up this path.
... to cross the B4066 at this sign - then through the stile and left onto the path behind it.
The pink flowers are ragged robin.
There were plenty of orchids - though my picture isn't very good.
The path is the Cotswold Way. It led to this: Nympsfield Long Barrow (English Heritage - free to visit) There's a car park here if you want to shorten the walk further.
This is a nice preview of what is to come.
From there, we continued along the Cotswold Way. It's easy summit walking with great views
First, from Coaley Peak
Distant views of the Severn, with Wales behind
You get this view as you continue walking. Fantastic!
Looking North
The Cotswold Way continues
...to Frocester Hill. Which isn't a hill when you're walking, because you are already on the ridge. More great views - and a toposcope.
The guild of Toposcope erectors decrees that they must always be placed several degrees out, to confuse the general public. But you can easily identify Cam Long Down.
When the Cotswold Way reaches the road and starts to descend - DON'T FOLLOW IT. Keep walking along the road, the B4066, for about 400 metres. There's a verge.
I got excited at the sight of this lump in the field - but this isn't the one.
Here we are. Hetty Pegler's Tump - or more correctly, Uley Long Barrow.
Lovely sign. No mention of the need for torches. But they are needed. Mentioned on the English Heritage details: click here: in the "before you go" section
And here it is. A 5000 year lump (or tump) in a field. There's the entrance. It's about 2 feet high.
Someone had handily left a coat, so I knelt on that to wriggle in. Hit my head (twice)
Pretty dark inside - legs outside demonstrate the lowness of the entrance
The sunlight lit it up partly
The torch battery failed. But I had a candle and matches with me.
Still inside: I think the big stone is original, and the drystone wall bit is later filling in, as the chamber is not in the shape of a cross like Nympsfield, but just has one side .
Like a hobbit house.
We returned by the same route.
I sat in the lovely flower meadow. Just because I could.
Seriously, you have to try this. I've given more details than usual because it's so little known about. Later, I ate in the cafe at Woodchester - neither of the locals knew about getting into the barrow.
If you don't want to walk, you can actually park right by it - but then you miss Nympsfield, not to mention the fabulous views. The whole walk was 3.2 miles and was very easy and flat
Today's walk: Park at Woodchester Park (NT, free). Steps down from the car park, then turn left away from the main walks . Follow the well-surfaced track to the road. Cross it and turn left on a path which joins the Cotswold Way. Pass Nympsfield Long Barrow (just off the path but you can't miss it.) then follow the Cotswold way until it joins the B4066. It follows it for about 100 metres, then turns off down a slope into woodland. You however, keep on along the road, till you see the sign for Uley Long Barrow. It's just across the field. (NB not fenced, as shown on the Engligsh Heritage website - just simply open). You need to take a torch, or candle/matches. The ground is sharp pebbles, so best not to wear shorts - or be prepared to sacrifice a coat to kneel on. And mind your head. When you're inside, you can stand up, head bent (if you're 5 foot 4 like me). And do take children if you have any. They deserve a bit of adventure!
Woodchester is about 6 miles from Junction 13 of the M5. Turn towards Stroud, and just before you get there, take the B4066. Woodchester is signposted as you arrive at it.
You can combine this walk with a visit to the secret valley of Woodchester and its ruined mansion. Click here to see it
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